Dormitories at the cost of trees!
It is outrageous that the Jahangirnagar University authorities have decided to cut down over 1,100 trees to construct six dormitories—three for male and three for female students. The university authorities have already started felling the age-old trees despite protests from the teachers and students. Reportedly, a new master plan has been made for the university, and the trees have been cut down according to that plan, of which the teachers, students and the university community are not aware.
Since many of the teachers have alleged that the university authorities have kept them in the dark over the matter, we would suggest that the authorities make the master plan public. And then, after holding discussions with all the stakeholders of the university, revise the plan if needed. Also, we would like to know what happened to the university's original master plan according to which all its previous infrastructure was built.
Of course, there should be no doubt that the JU, being the only residential university of the country, needs to have more dormitories so that more students can enrol there. But that does not necessarily mean that new infrastructure should be built at the cost of the trees. Already, a major share of the university's land has been ruined due to unplanned development in the campus. Therefore, the university authorities should move away from any decision that will harm the university's environment and make the green campus look like a concrete jungle. And if trees have to be cut at all, it must be to the bare minimum. And whatever the number of trees is cut, double that should be replanted.
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